Differences in bands

[sarellano 0]

Does anyone know the difference between the Inamed lapband and the swedish (Obtech) band?

[Vera 7]

Obtech may be a distributor?? Its listed with C J Medical on my band which is an A.M.I. known also as a swiss band.

The AMI is 11mm tall can hold 9.75cc's total.

The Inamed(FDA approved) is 9mm tall.(don't know how much it will hold) note Inamed has a 11mm band also, which is not the FDA approved band, but is also use by some Mexico doctors.

[quakergirl 2]

Dr. Kuri's website has the following explanation:

"Obtech Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band

The SAGB is very similar to the Bioenterics band, except that it is considered a low-pressure band. This means that it has a greater total volume than the Lap-Band, therefore needing more Fluid to exert a similar amount of pressure on the stoma."

Personally, I don't think there are any really drastic differences between the various brands of gastric bands. They all work pretty much the same way.

[GeezerSue 7]

In practical terms, I think that right now the Inamed band would be less of a hassle to have "serviced" in the states. That's because the Obtech band is in the middle of clinical trials, so only those doctors involved in the clinical trials have any experience with that brand.

My assumption is that the Obtech (Johnson & Johnson) band will be approved and then--because JNJ is a bigger company--JNJ will advertise the hell out of it and it may eventually surpass the Inamed band. (Only an assumption, but I did buy JNJ stock based on that assumption.)

But, for the US-based patient, not near a border or a clinical trial site, and not rich or employed by an airline, the more managable band right now would be the Inamed, because at least a few surgeons in most major cities have experience with it.

Sue

Edited to add: the "Bioenterics band" mentioned on Kuri's website is the old name for Inamed band.

[GeezerSue 7]

Oops.

[donali 57]

Well said, Sue! (both times... lol)

[Vera 7]

Oh Sue

Here I told the ol' man to buy Inamed stock.....

As an AMI banded. I'm curious to how JNJ has posssibly Obtech, CJ medical under them.

Please tell me what you know. please

I have related so much of this Forum. I and my band feel simular to all your experiences. As I compare my band to most they are usally Inameds. I do see so many simularities. Believe me this morning I said Donoli's right "Don't lay down directly after you eat, Waite 2+ hours, I'm just a sponge here.

Tonight I had Prime rib! 2 inches took me 20 min...PS I had a glass of wine before dinner oooh I love horserdish and garlic. had to take home a doggie bag

As far as fills I'm 3.5cc's (sweet I think) and my fill dr. knows all about my band and the only other difforance besides the band itself (size etc..) is it has a titanium port, I'm good with the pkg. that I have. Tonight people told me I'v thinned, even in the last mo. yet maybe 4 lbs. I'm still happier!!! my self esteem is climbing finally. Thanks in advance for any info....

[GeezerSue 7]

Originally posted by Vera

Oh Sue

Here I told the ol' man to buy Inamed stock.....

As an AMI banded. I'm curious to how JNJ has posssibly Obtech, CJ medical under them...

Please tell me what you know. please

Inamed has the boob implants and their stock has done quite well. I have issues with implants for cosmetic reasons, and so I didn't buy that stock. I would have made money with that one. I just figured that JNJ would eventually make make money with their band. They bought Obtech--which owns what is called the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band--in 2002, and clinical trials were started this year.

I know ZIP about CJ Medical's band.

[Vera 7]

JNJ OK

Prime rib has enough fat as 3 big macs

Just thought I'd say that before Donali... I'm having fun!

gotta love me.... Prime rib is the worst.. It is sweet! but so is life!

[donali 57]

Vera -

You don't have to worry about ME counting calories/fat/carbs for anyone else - I don't count them for myself! If prime rib floats your boat, you should DEFINITELY have that instead of Big Macs!

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I could have sworn you said you only managed 2 inches of prime rib anyway...

Thank you to our band buddies everywhere! lol

[Guest Claire HS]

Hi

Here in the Uk the Swedish band is very common, probably more so than the lap band, MID band and Heliogast band, though I know people with all of these.

The main difference is as said before that its a soft band and holds a bigger capacity of fill, up to 11mls.

I'm only 3 months post op with my swedish band, but so far so good

Claire

[Vera 7]

Hi Claire

I have an AMI band and I'm always compareing my band effects/events and situations to other bands and have very simular results except fill amounts.

Have you had a fill yet? how much? and do you feel restriction?

Welcome to this Forum.

[Guest Claire HS]

Hi Vera

After my 1st fill (4mls) I didn't really feel much difference, but by that point I was ravenous so I don't suppose 4mls would have mad a huge difference.

My 2nd fill is a bit complicated (it always is with me ) When he came to take out the saline to replace it with contrast soln 1ml was missing?! If it was just hiding somewhere in my band refusing to come out that means I have 5.5mls, if it had just 'dissapeared' which I beleive can happen I've got 4.5mls. I feel quite a bit more restricted than before, but its still not perfect, so my guess (and it is a guess!) would be 5.5mls. Going for another fill in Feb, can't wait!!

How about you? I don't know much about the AMI band, tell me more

Claire

[Kiwigirl 1]

I have the Swedish Lapband, fitted on August 29th this year. I have had five fills and now have 8 mls ( the band hold 11 mls). I have a good restriction, can eat about a cup od food at a sitting, slightly more it is Soup. My understanding here in Britian is that what band is chosen is usually the surgeon's preference. Mine told me that the surgeon he trained under used the Swedish so that is why he uses it.

[sarellano 0]

I have the swedish one too. I was wondering if there have been only 1, or if there are different swedish ones. Does anyone know? I've been banded Since Dec. 6th and doing good. I've just recently been able to eat pretty much anything I want and I've noticed how well chocolate goes down, never gets stuck...bummer! Has anybody that has the swedish band had any problems at all?